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Philadelphians demand answers on mass incarceration from PA’s next Governor

For Immediate Release: September 30, 2014
Attn: News Desk

Philadelphia PA - At 7:30 am on October 1st, people from across the city are expected to gather outside the KYW Studios at 1555 Hamilton Street, where Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and gubernatorial hopeful Tom Wolf will meet for a breakfast debate. While some attendees will be there to support a specific candidate, many are coming to demand answers from Pennsylvania’s next Governor no matter who wins in November.

Protest at Capitol Opposes Prison Expansion, Budget Priorities

dpa press releaseAdvocates: DOC Lied to Justify New Prisons, Legislators Refuse to Take Action

For Immediate Release: February 12th, 2014

Harrisburg, PA – At 1PM today, members of Decarcerate PA and their allies are gathering at the State Capitol for a “People’s Hearing on Prison Expansion.” The protest coincides with the House Appropriations Hearing for the Department of Corrections, who, according to Corbett’s budget proposal, will receive an additional $78 million in the 2014-2015 budget.

Campaign Asks: What would you build instead of prisons?

Social media effort highlights alternatives to prison expansion

December 26, 2013

Philadelphia, PA -- People all over Pennsylvania believe there are literally hundreds of better ways to invest state resources than spending money to build new prisons. That’s what the grassroots coalition Decarcerate PA hopes to demonstrate through their “100 Days Instead of Prisons” social media campaign. The campaign calls on legislators to cancel the $400 million prison construction underway in Montgomery County and make 2014 a year of no new prisons in Pennsylvania.

Electrifying Protest Demands Halt to Prison Expansion: Decarcerate PA Charges DOC with Abuse of Power

Attn: News Desk

For Immediate Release

Mechanicsburg, PA - State leaders responsible for Pennsylvania’s surging prison expansion costs are meeting with growing resistance. About twenty protesters appeared unannounced at the Department of Corrections headquarters in Mechanicsburg today with a gigantic orange electrical plug. Members of Decarcerate PA, a grassroots coalition working to end mass incarceration in Pennsylvania, called for an immediate halt to the $400 million prison construction project in Montgomery County, saying it was time for Corrections Secretary John Wetzel to “pull the plug” on this expensive plan.

Despite Public Pressure, General Assembly Caves to DOC Budget Increase

July 2, 2013
For Immediate Release
Attention:  News Desk

Harrisburg, PA – Despite statewide opposition, on Sunday, June 30, the Pennsylvania General Assembly approved a budget for FY2013-2014 that provides a $75 million budget increase for the Department of Corrections (DOC). Despite massive protests and hundreds of calls, postcards, and emails from constituents in districts across Pennsylvania, legislators inexplicably gave the state prison system an even larger budget increase than Governor Corbett initially requested.

This expansive increase flies in the face of efforts by grassroots groups like Decarcerate PA, who recently marched from Philadelphia to Harrisburg to demand that the legislature vote no on an increased prison budget, cancel ongoing prison expansion projects, and invest in creating strong communities instead.

100-Mile March Arriving in Harrisburg to Protest Prison Expansion: Decarcerate PA Rallies for Funding Education, Not New Prisons

On Sunday, June 2nd, about two dozen opponents of prison expansion will arrive in Harrisburg as part of their ten-day march from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. The march is being organized by Decarcerate PA, a grassroots coalition, and is co-sponsored by a broad alliance of community groups, nonprofits, labor organizations, education advocates, and formerly incarcerated organizers. The “March for a People’s Budget: Stop Prison Expansion Now!” began on May 25th.

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